FAQ

For your personal security and convenience, we recommend that you have a mobile phone during your stay in Israel. We suggest that you take your Australian phone and simply buy an Israeli SIM card in Tel Aviv. Some newer smart phones will also work in Israel.  Alternatively, you can purchase a Israeli SIM card in Australia from one of our recommended travel agents.

After you are accepted to the program, you are responsible for booking your flight to Israel and filling out the Travel Form. Of course, you will want to compare prices. We recommend that you consult with travel agents and check our Travel section.

Most volunteers will spend their volunteer period on an army base, though weekends may be spent in a Sar-El sponsored hostel, with friends or family in Israel, with a host family as arranged by the madricha, or other accommodations as the volunteer chooses on his/her own expense. On the base the accommodation is typically dormitory style, with men and women in separate rooms. There may be up to 8 to a room, sharing lockers, and bunk beds. Showers are communal and may lack curtains for privacy.

If possible, you should renew your passport approximately nine (9) months before it expires. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six (6) months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.

To enter Israel, you must have a passport valid for at least six months after your departure date. Therefore, for a typical 3-week program, you should have 7+ months remaining on your passport.

A tourist visa is not required for Australian citizens unless you plan to stay in Israel longer than 90 days.

The Sar-El program is well suited for those traveling solo. Because it is a group experience, you will meet and form friendships with your fellow volunteers from diverse backgrounds and locations. Volunteers tend to travel together on weekends, so no one need worry about being left out. Your madricha can help with weekend plans.

All volunteers are required to provide their own health and accident insurance (typical traveller's health insurance) which must be in effect for the duration of their Sar-El tour of duty.  This insurance must cover hospitalization, emergency room, and doctors' bills, for treatment due to illness or accident.  Volunteers must provide proof of insurance in the form of a copy of their insurance card and a copy of the policy, if available.  This policy applies to all volunteers.

Adherence to this policy is strictly required and volunteers will not be admitted without proof of insurance.

Medicare will not cover you in Israel.

On the IDF Base Program, you will be given work clothes to wear during the day. In the evening, casual attire-jeans, shorts, t-shirts, whatever is comfortable and appropriate. See the Packing List.

The following policies are strictly enforced:

• no proselytizing
• no drug and alcohol use
• no photographing on base without permission

You do not need to speak Hebrew for the Sar-El program. Your group will be assigned English-speaking soldier(s) who will be responsible for you at all times and who will translate as needed. You will learn some basic Hebrew terms to use on base, so be sure to approach the soldiers and try out your new vocabulary. If you want to improve your Hebrew conversation skills, consider registering for the Ulpan program. Look in the Downloads section for Useful Hebrew Phrases that will make life easier for you whilst in Israel.

The public transportation system in Israel offers frequent and affordable bus and train transportation to most destinations in the country. Your madricha can help you to determine the best route to your destination. Be aware that the public bus and train systems do not operate on Shabbat, however, they are otherwise very convenient and an excellent way to get around the country.

Be prepared for an adventure! Living conditions are much more spartan than you are accustomed to at home, but you and your fellow volunteers will have fun adapting and finding ways to make the barracks more comfortable. Detailed information about base conditions, meals, and laundry can be found in our Volunteer’s Handbook.

While waiting for your luggage you can make phone arrangements and buy Israeli currency, shekels, at the airport bank branch or ATM. Get enough cash for your first weekend off the base because you may not be able to visit a bank or ATM before Shabbat.) If you arrive during normal working hours on the prescribed Sunday or Monday you will be met at the meeting place in the Arrivals hall at the chairs to the right of the fountain as you face exit #2. There will usually be a Sar-El representative nearby as well as a phone rental counter, currency exchange and ATM. If you are early, you can wait at the chairs. If you are not met, phone the Program Coordinator (052-821-9945) to make the arrangements for assignment to a base.

If you arrive before a scheduled start date to join Sar-El in Israel, you must phone the Program coordinator to confirm your arrival and the arrangements for joining.

On Sar-El programs you will be off the base from Thursday afternoon to Sunday morning. During that time you are free to visit friends and family, tour and spend time with your new Sar-El friends. Your Sar-El Australia representative can advise you further.

Some conveniently located, moderately priced hotels in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem offer discounts to Sar-El volunteers. Your IDF base madricha or the Sar-El coordinator in Israel can give you a list. In addition, the IDF operates a no-cost hostel, Beit Oded, in Jaffa. You may stay there or at other soldier hostels around the country for free if space permits. Your group leader (madrich/madricha) on the base must be notified of your intention to stay at Beit Oded early in the week.

On the base, volunteers are assigned to a liaison or a guide, called a "madricha" in Hebrew. She or he  is a soldier who has been specifically screened and trained for the Sar-El program. She will be fluent in the language of the volunteers to which she is assigned. Your madricha informs you of your work schedule, your accommodation assignment, meal schedules, and other information you need to participate in the program. The madricha is the person to approach for all your questions while you are a volunteer. She can assist you in finding a host family for a more personal Israeli experience on the weekends and for Shabbat meals. She will be your guide for any Sar-El sponsored tours or educational programs scheduled during your volunteer period. All contact information is provided in the Volunteers Handbook.

Volunteers can stay at Beit Oded on the weekends once they have begun the program and on the weekend following completion of the program. There is no guarantee that Beit Oded is available on the weekends. Volunteers should always have alternate places to stay on the weekends in case Beit Oded is full or not available.

1. Each person must clean up after meals.
2. On Sat. night, after Shabbat, there will be a general cleaning of the building, which will include ALL volunteers. No one can leave the building until the cleaning is completed.
3. On Sunday morning your rooms must cleaned before you check out. The rooms will be checked by a staff person before you can leave on Sunday morning.
4. Every person must keep his room clean during the weekend.
5. Volunteers are not allowed to enter the staff office or use the telephone in the office.
6. At the end of your stay, give your linens to the soldier in the reception area.
7. You are not allowed to bring food into Beit Oded. You are not allowed to bring any "outside" food into the dining room.
8. There is no TV for volunteers.
9. There are no keys to the rooms. Do not leave valuables in the rooms.
10. Please conserve on your use of plastic cups, etc.
11. If you do not do your share of cleaning, you will not be allowed back.
12. No alcohol, drugs, smoking, nor proselytizing is allowed. You cannot enter Beit Oded if you are drunk or not in control of yourself. If you do any of these things, you will not be allowed to stay & will not be allowed back in the future.
13. Men & women cannot be in each other's rooms or floors.
14. Visitors are not allowed in the building, including volunteers who did not "check in" for the weekend.
15. Smoking is only allowed on the Roof—please use ashtrays.
16. Do not remove mattresses from your rooms.
17. Do not throw things from the roof.
18. Do not switch rooms without telling Ray or a staff person
19. When you enter the building, put your Beit Oded card on the bulletin board. When you leave the building, take your card with you. You will not be allowed to enter without your ID card.
20. Keep your passport copy with you all the time.
21. You must follow the staff's orders. Ray Teyken is the Supervisor of Beit Oded & is in charge. If you have questions or remarks, talk to Ray.
22. Hours:
    • Check-in is 3:00pm on Thursday
    • General meeting at 3:30 where you will be given instructions, sheets & room assignments.
    • Sat. night cleaning after Shabbat.
    • Check-out is 8:00am on Sunday
    • Sunday A.M. cleaning before checkout.
    • Curfew—12:00 midnight. If you are not back by then, you cannot enter until 6:00am.
23. Meals:
    • Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 Fri. & Sat. 7:00-8:00 Sunday
    • Lunch: 1:00-2:00 Fri. & Sat
    • Dinner: 7:00-8:00 Fri. & Sat.